3 Comments
User's avatar
Chris Smeader's avatar

Candace Millard wrote a really interesting book on Garfield's assassination called "Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President." I've had a few of my AP US History students read it for their winter book selection. They are always outraged at the doctors' incompetence and their belief that dirty medical instruments HELPED the healing process. And Guiteau? Well, he genuinely thought he'd get a federal job now that he had made Arthur President.......

Expand full comment
Kindler's avatar

Yes, Millard’s book is great, well, other than all the gory details about Garfield’s infection and how his incompetent doctors made it worse. And Guiteau was a nutjob worthy of our Age of Nutjobs, when conspiracy-driven wackos get presidential appointments…

Expand full comment
DENNIS B MURPHY's avatar

and we now have a president intent on undoing the Pendleton Act and re-politicizing the civil service ala Jackson.

Expand full comment